Skylight



y 19, 1927' 1. c. STEINBERG SKYLIGHT Original Fil ed Ma 4, 1922 ATTOR Y Patented July 19, 1927.

UNITED STATES IRVING c. STEINBERG, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO I. summertime & sons,

1,636,018 A ENT 9"!- j or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY,

" SKYLIGHT.

Application filed May 4, 1922, Serial This invention relates to a skylight, and is particularly designed for that kind of skylight that is placed over'the stages of thea ties and similar auditoriums, the object being to quickly open it, either automatically or manually, in case of fire on the stage so as to establish a draft above the stage to localize the fire, particularly in its earlystages, to' the stage. i

1 Such skylights are required in most municipalities by city ordinances-and regulations, and while they have been designed for this purpose, the present invention provides an improvement in that it is more easily operated and its opening is therefore more certain, and it provides for a complete opening of the open spaces in the sides of the skylight when a segmental curtain, usually arranged to close these openings, is lowered.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section through a skylight made according to my invention. Figure 2 is a section through one of the side walls, but showing only a part thereof, this section being taken on a plane indicated by line 2-2 in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a detail horizontal section taken on a plane indicated by line 3-3 in Figure 2.

In the drawing indicates the roof of a stage, in the up-to-date structures these being made fire-proof, usually of cement, and I arrange on this the lower part or curb of the skylight, usually integral therewith, this curb being shown at 11 and extending up half way, or a little more than half way, to the height of the skylight, and against the curb I arrange the bars 12, these bars being joined at their tops by the top bars 13; so that the topbars, the side bars and the top edge of the curb provide openings in which a segmental curtain is arranged, this segmental curtain comprising the segments 14 which slide up and down in the guides 15 in the sides of the side bars 12, and are usually provided with counter-weights 16, which counterweights are connected by strands, such as rope or wire 17, which pass over the pulleys 18 and are fastened to the segments 14, as will be seen from Figure 2. These segments, while they-may be made of glass, are usually made of two sheets of metal, as shown at 19 and 20, Figure 3, braced by the end pieces 21. The sash weights 16 are not heavy enough to hold the sash up; in fact,

ms. 558,407. -Renewed April 7, 1927 the sash would'readily descend by gravity,; but the weights-are heavy enough to prevent damage which would be caused by the quick unhindered descent of such segments, which, when raised, are, of course, designed to keep the elements from entering through the structure.

On the top bar 13 is supportedthe roof 22, which can he of any usual type, but is usually of steel'and iron formed into frames to provide supportsfor the glass 23 which permits light to enter through the top of the skylight. In the upper part of theskylight, and prefcrablyat the center thereof, is arranged a support such as 24, which, in the form shown, is supported by the straps 25 from the roof and forms a circular or equivalent support for a set of pulleys 26, these pulleys equalling in number the number of segments to the curtain, and in the form shown a skylight formed with four segments on each side is illustrated, which would require sixteen pulleys. Over each pulley passes a strand 27, each of which strands passes over a pulley 28 mounted in a top bar 13 above a segment, and, after passing over the pulley 28, is secured to the segment. These strands are consolidated, as by the clips 29 and 30, into a cable 31 by means of which the segments 14 can be raised and by means of which they can be permitted to descend'.

A beam 32 is usually provided for the pulleys 33, between which the cable 31 passes, and in view of the necessity of easy operation, and sometimes quick operation, the cable 31 is usually pulled by means of a block and tackle 34 and the rope 35,which can be fastened over a suitable fastening, such as the cleat 36. Most fire regulations provide for the installation of a knife 37 by means of which the cable can be cut in an emergency.

Suitable gutters 38 and coping 39 can be provided to insure a water-proof structure.

In the strands or in the cable, at a suitable place therein, is arranged a fusible con nection or links, and I usually place such fusible links at 29 so that in case no one is present when the fire starts, heat accumulating in the skylight will cause these links 29 to separate and the segmental curtain will be permitted to. descend.

This skylight is economically made, that is, can be erected at less cost than the average form of theatre skylight, it is Weatherproof, the segments of the curtain Will descend rapidly, but Without shock, so that in case of drills or manual operation, and in case of very quick release under such manual operation, the descending segments will not injure any of the structure, and furthermore, a positive duct or passage for hot air is formed on the roof to insure a quick accumulation of hot gases or air Within the skylight in case of fire beneath. This localizing of the heat is a big advantage, since it will hasten the parting of the fusible links 29, as compared to a low fiat structure in which such localizing Will not take place, but will be distributed all along the under part of the roof.

I claim:

1. A skylight comprising a curb having a housing extending above it, curtains slid able vertically in the housing and outside the curbing, the housing, curbing and ourtains being of approximately the same height, and fusible means ior holding the curtains against descent by gravity, the curtains When up completing the closure of the housing and when down resting against the outer face of the curb and permitting ac cess to the openings in the housing from the outside.

2. A skylight comprising a curb and a housing extending above it, the curb and housing being of substantially the same height, the housing having openings therein, frames extending on the outside of the curb and the housing, curtains slidable in the frames and adapted when raised to close the openings in the housing and also adapted when lowered to lie against the outside oi the curb, and fusible means for holding the raised curtains against descent by gravity.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I have hereto set my hand, this 2nd day'of May, 1922.

IRVING C. STEINBERG. 

